Advanced combination ozone and UV treatment of object or product in-package

ABSTRACT

A method for providing at least one of a sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing treatment to a product or object while inside a package by treatment with a combination of UV energy and ozone to the product while in the package. The ozone can be provided inside the package through a gas channel secured, in a gas-tight seal, to an opening of the package containing the product or object. The ozone can also be generated in the package by converting oxygen to ozone in the package while containing the product or object therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from,prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,510, filed on Jul. 12,2011, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference, wherein such application is a continuation-in-part of, andclaims priority from, prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,123,filed on Sep. 13, 2005, now assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,976,777, the entiredisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, wherein suchprior application was based upon, and claimed priority from, prior U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/167,927, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, nowassigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,834, the entire disclosure of which is alsoherein incorporated by reference, and wherein such prior application wasbased upon, and claimed priority from, prior U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/583,041, filed on May 30, 2000, now assigned U.S. Pat. No.6,403,033, the entire disclosure of which is also herein incorporated byreference, and wherein such prior application was based upon, andclaimed priority from, prior U.S. Patent Application No. 60/136,885,filed on Jun. 1, 1999, the entire disclosure of which is also hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to treatment of products orobjects with ozone and ultraviolet energy, and more particularly to acontained environment with ultraviolet energy sources for treatingpackaged products or objects inside their packages.

BACKGROUND

Objects or products such as perishable food products, including meats,poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables, or objects such as medicaldevices and instruments, or other objects that may be subject toinfection or contamination by micro-organisms or microbes, such asbacteria, viruses, and pathogens, typically require hygienic andsanitary conditions to be properly handled, packaged, and/or used. Foodproducts, for example, can seriously degrade in shelf life and can bedangerous for consumption under unsanitary states. Medical devices andinstruments are likewise subject to contamination from many sources andcan cause serious harm if used in unsanitary conditions.

In the past, attempts to sanitize these types of objects have generallyincluded washing and cleansing an object and then packaging and/orwrapping the object, which normally took place in special cleanprocessing facilities. However, it is not always feasible or desirableto set up significant special facilities to sanitize such objects todesirable levels. For example, it may be desirable to package and/orwrap a food product at a convenient location where no special facilitiesare normally available such as at an office, a home, or even outdoors.Similarly, it may be desirable to package and/or wrap a medical deviceor instrument with no special medical cleansing facility being availableor desirable for sanitizing the medical instrument before a subsequentuse.

Regrettably, in most circumstances after providing sanitizing agents andcleansing facility to help clean and sanitize a product or object,subsequent poor handling by personnel typically results inre-contamination prior to final packaging of the product or object. Thispoor handling creates serious contamination hazards and transfer ofdisease to users and consumers of the products and objects beingpackaged under such conditions. Most commonly, an expensive specialhandling and processing facility is required to provide a sanitizingand/or sterilizing effect to an object or product. For example,irradiation processing of object and products requires very specializedand expensive equipment that is not readily usable in most environments.

With respect to perishable food products, such as meat, poultry, orfish, such products are normally packaged and re-packaged for subsequentuse or distribution where at each stage of unpacking and re-packagingthere is potential for introduction of contaminants, such asmicro-organisms and viruses, and other pathogens, such as from E-coli,salmonella, and listeria contamination, that can harm humans as well asseriously degrade the shelf life, increase perishability, anddetrimentally impact human consumability, of such food products. Thenormal handling conditions at the different stages of productdistribution, ultimately to handling by an end user, and further there-packaging at each one of the stages, causes additional risk forcontamination of such food products.

Additionally, for providing sanitizing and/or sterilizing treatments toproducts and objects to be packaged and/or while packaged, it isdesirable to expose the surfaces of the products and objects to thetreatments. Surfaces of the multiple products and/or objects that remainunexposed to sanitizing and/or sterilizing treatments may likelycontinue to carry contaminants, including microbes such as bacteria andviruses that continue to pose contamination hazards to users andconsumers of the products and/or objects. Therefore, sanitizing and/orsterilizing treatments that fail to treat the surfaces may not removethe necessary amount of contamination to result in desired sanitaryand/or sterile conditions for the packaged products and/or objects.Unfortunately, a lack of treatment may not be detected after theproducts and/or objects are packaged. The contaminated products and/orobjects after being packaged unfortunately may reach the user and/orconsumer.

Food products, therefore, can include contaminants such as all sorts ofmicro-organisms, bacteria, and viruses. These contaminants can include,but are not limited to, bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, mildew, and avariety of viruses. E-coli, salmonella, and listeria are pathogens thathave gained much attention in the news where humans have been made sickand injured and have died as a result of contamination of food andwater. Many of these types of contaminants can increase a rate ofspoilage and reduce shelf life of food products as well as provideserious health hazards to humans that consume or come in contact withsuch products. Commonly, these contaminants are introduced to thesurfaces of food products during processing, handling, and distribution.

Modern methods of packaging and cleaning food products, typicallyemployed at food processing plants and factories, can reduce hazardouscontaminants, such as micro-organisms, that can contaminate the surfacesof food products. These processing and packaging techniques includethermal processing, washing food products with chlorinated water,irradiation of food products, vacuum sealing packaging, low temperaturestorage, modified atmosphere packaging (or MAP), active packaging, andcertain techniques for clean handling and packaging. Additionally, ozonebubbled in water has been used to wash and thereby disinfect chickensand other such food products and associated food processing plants andsuch specialized food handling environments. Ozone in such aqueoussolution has been generally regarded as safe for use with the foodsupply. For example, most people are familiar with ozonated drinkingwater. However, these processes and techniques discussed above typicallymust be applied under strictly controlled environments in a processingplant and factory and usually employing special equipment and handling.

These specialized requirements for packaging such food products,although helpful in reducing contamination and enhancing shelf life ofproducts, are generally expensive and only available in specialenvironments such as in food processing plants and factories. Further,when the packaging is removed at a later point in a distribution channeland the food product is re-packaged for further distribution or forconsumption at a later time, new contamination can typically beintroduced to the food products thereby losing some if not most of thebeneficial effects of the earlier clean handling and packaging at thefactory. This subsequent re-packaging and handling normally does notbenefit from special equipment and ultra-clean environment to re-packagethe food products with heightened sanitary conditions as in a foodprocessing plant and factory.

In medical applications, where medical equipment and instruments need tobe sanitized, unfortunately, conventional specialized equipment must beused to sanitize and disinfect the equipment or instruments to asatisfactory level, or possibly sterilize as necessary, for further use.This specialized equipment is usually expensive and the process forsanitizing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing, tends to be time consumingsignificantly impacting the costs of medical services and the commercialviability of medical businesses. Additionally, this specializedequipment and processing is normally not generally available in all butspecialized environments.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method to eliminate thedisadvantages of the prior art as discussed above, and particularly toprovide a sanitizing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing, application toobjects and/or products being packaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, and which together with the detailed description below areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles andadvantages all in accordance with the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side cut-away view of a first example of a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing system;

FIG. 2 is a side cut-away view of a second example of a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing system;

FIG. 3 is a side cut-away view of a third example of a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing system;

FIG. 4 is a side cut-away view of a fourth example of a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing system; and

FIG. 5 is a side cut-away view of a fifth example of a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing system.

FIG. 6 is a side cut-away view of an advanced combination ozone and UVtreatment system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples andthat the systems and methods described below can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the disclosed subject matter in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms andphrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, toprovide an understandable description.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and “having” as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e. open language). The term “coupled” as used herein,is defined as “connected” although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically.

The term “wireless communication device” is intended to broadly covermany different types of devices that can wirelessly receive signals, andin most cases can wirelessly transmit signals, and may also operate in awireless communication system. For example, and not for limitation, anRFID device can communicate with a remote controller via wirelesscommunication. It can identify itself and provide data, or optionallyreceive data, to-from the remote controller via wireless communication.

The terms program, software application, and the like as used herein,are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system. A program, computer program, or software applicationtypically includes a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an objectmethod, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet,a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic loadlibrary and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution ona computer system.

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward.

The present disclosure, according various embodiments, overcomesproblems with the prior art by providing a contained environment wherean atmosphere may be controlled and therein containing packaged productsor objects that can be treated in-package by a sanitizing, disinfecting,and sterilizing treatment while optionally monitoring the inside of thepackage container to determine the presence of at least one of asanitizing agent comprising ozone and ultraviolet radiation energythereby monitoring the exposure of a product and/or object in thepackage container to the at least one of the sanitizing agent comprisingozone and the ultraviolet radiation energy. The exposure of the objector product to a sanitizing agent comprising ozone gas and/or toultraviolet radiation energy in a storage volume in the packagecontainer effectively provides sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing, treatment to the object or product captured or stored in atleast one storage volume of the package container. However, byaffirmatively monitoring this exposure inside the package container andby controlling the atmosphere in the contained environment it enhancesthe overall process to provide sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing, treatment to the object or product.

Further, the term sanitizing agent comprising ozone gas is generallyused herein to describe an agent that when transferred to a surface ofan object or product at least provides the beneficial sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing effects provided by ozone gas. Ozone gashas been shown very effective to sanitize, disinfect and sterilizeequipment and processing facilities, as well as for ozonating drinkingwater. Ozone, in varying concentrations as a treatment for products andobjects, can provide beneficial sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing, effects thereto. Shortly after treatment, the ozonenormally converts to a harmless composition usually resulting in oxygenassociated with a treated product or object. For example, ozonated wateradditionally benefits from enhanced taste for human consumption.

The sanitizing agent comprising ozone gas, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, provides at least a reduction in microbial countas part of a sanitizing application. Further, in certain applications,such as for medical sanitizing or other product sanitizing, thesanitizing agent comprising ozone gas can provide anti-viral andanti-pathogen properties to attack contaminants comprising viruses andother pathogens. Therefore, as anticipated by the embodiments of thepresent invention, and in accordance with specific applications thereof,the sanitizing agent comprising ozone gas provides anti-microbialproperties to reduce microbial counts, including but not limited toreduction in bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, and mildew, counts. Further,the sanitizing agent comprising ozone gas, according to alternativepreferred embodiments of the present invention used in certainapplications, additionally provides anti-viral properties to attackcertain viruses. As is well known, ozone can exhibit such beneficialanti-microbial properties and anti-viral properties for specificapplications of the embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly,the term sanitizing agent is used herein to comprise properties that cansanitize and disinfect, i.e., reduce microbial and viral counts, and/orsterilize, i.e., substantially minimizing counts thereof, with respectto an object or product being sanitized by the sanitizing agentcomprising ozone gas and in accordance with specific applications. Theterm contaminants as used herein, therefore, includes such microbial andviral contaminants, and generally other invading contaminants, that cancreate unsanitary conditions, spoilage, and/or damage to objects orproducts. Additionally, it should be clear that the sanitizing agentcomprising ozone provides beneficial sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing effect while in close proximity to a surface of an object orproduct.

Referring to FIG. 1 the sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing system100 is shown. The system 100 comprises a contained environment 102. Thiscontained environment 102 contains an atmosphere which may be differentthan the ambient atmosphere surrounding the contained environment 102.As shown in FIG. 1, one or more ultraviolet sources 104 are providedwithin the system 100. These ultraviolet sources 104 may include any ofthe known ultraviolet source devices, as an example, and not forlimitation, including UV lamps, UV light emitting diodes, plasmagenerators, and the like. The contained environment 102 includes one ormore contained spaces that can contain one or more UV sources 104 andone or more packaged products or objects 106. The product or object 106is packaged inside packaging material 108. The product or object 106 ispackaged within the packaging material 108 such that at least a portionof the product or object is contained within the packaging material 108.A space 110 between the outer surface of the product or object and theinner surface of the packaging material 108 contains an atmosphere asshown in FIG. 1. This atmosphere within the space 110 between theproduct or object 106 and the packaging material 108 includes oxygen112. The atmosphere within the space 110 maybe different than theatmosphere within the contained environment 102. For example, theatmosphere within the contained environment 102 may include air 118which includes oxygen 116. At the same time, the atmosphere within thespace 110 may contain a mixture of gases that includes oxygen 112.However, other types of gases and/or fluids may be also contained withinthe space 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the atmosphere within thespace 110 between the packaging material 108 and the product or object106 is air. The UV sources 104 are located within the containedenvironment 102 such that UV energy may be radiated from the UV sources104 toward the packaged product or object 106. The one or more UVsources 104 radiate UV energy toward the packaging material 108 and thenpass through the packaging material 108 and into the atmospherecontained in the space 110 between the packaging material 108 and theouter surface of the product or object 106. When UV energy, such as UV122, is radiated from the one or more UV sources 104 toward the packagedproduct or object 106 some of the UV energy 122 passes through thepackaging material 108 and into the atmosphere within the space 110which contains oxygen 112. By energizing the oxygen within the space 110with the UV energy at a frequency range that energizes the oxygen it canconvert the oxygen in the space 110 to other elements or compounds suchas ozone. Additionally, it may convert the oxygen in the space 110 incombination with other elements or compounds in the space 110, such asmoisture, into hydroxyl radicals. The ozone and optionally the hydroxylradicals created in the space 110 within the packing material 108creates a strong sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing agent thatcomes in contact with the surface of the product or object 106.Microbial contamination 120 on the surface of the product or object 106may be sanitized, disinfected and sterilized by using this process ofradiating ultraviolet energy into the space 110 and thereby convertingan agent containing oxygen 112 in the space 110 to a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing agent containing ozone. Optionally, it mayalso create a sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing agent containinghydroxyl radicals. In this way, microbial contamination 120 on thesurface of the product or object 106 can be sanitized, disinfect andsterilized. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent that has a very shorthalf-life. Once the ozone, and optionally the hydroxyl radicals, oxidizeand destroy the microbes on the product or object 106, the ozoneinherently converts back to oxygen 112. The product or object 106 is nowsanitized, disinfected, and sterilized and protected within thepackaging material 108 from external contamination hazards.

Ultraviolet energy 122 of a wave-length approximately less than 200nanometers with sufficient energy within the space 110 will effectivelyconvert oxygen 112 to a second agent comprising ozone, or optionallyhydroxyl radicals, that then treat the surface 120 of the product orobject and sanitize, disinfect, and sterilize the product or object 106.Preferably, the ultraviolet energy 122 has substantially higher energyabout the 185 nanometer wave-length range. More preferably, theultraviolet energy 122 includes substantially higher energy about the185 nanometer wave-lengths and has substantially reduced energy aboutthe ultraviolet energy wave-lengths between 240 nanometers toapproximately 280 nanometers. This ultraviolet energy 122, 124, 126,128, energizes the oxygen molecules in the atmosphere and causes them toconvert the sanitizing agent comprising ozone in the atmosphere. Asshown in FIG. 1, oxygen molecules in the atmosphere within the containedenvironment 102 are also affected as well as the oxygen molecules in thespace 110 between the surface 120 of the product or object 106 and thesurface of the packaging material 108. Due to the strong interactionwith oxygen in the atmosphere in the contained environment 102, theamount of the ultraviolet energy that actually reaches the packagingmaterial 108 is significantly reduced. Further, the amount of theultraviolet energy 122 that actually passes through the packagingmaterial is further reduced. This leaves only a small amount of theultraviolet energy 122 to interact and energize the oxygen within thespace 110. This phenomenon must be considered in designing a system 100such that sufficient amount of ultraviolet energy 122 reaches theatmosphere within the space 110. The distance 114 between the one ormore ultraviolet sources 104 and the packaged product or object 106 is asignificant factor in how much of the ultraviolet energy 122 will reachthe space 110. Of course, the absolute level of ultraviolet energy 122emitted from the one or more ultraviolet sources 104 can be increased tocompensate for this loss of ultraviolet energy in the atmosphere betweenthe ultraviolet sources 104 and the packaged product or object 106.

One way to affirmatively control the amount of ultraviolet energy 122that reaches the atmosphere within the space 110 is by using one or moresensors 132, 134, within the space 110. These sensors 132, 134, mayinclude ultraviolet energy sensing devices and/or ozone sensing devices.By monitoring the amount of ultraviolet energy 122 that reaches thesensors 132, 134 and/or monitoring the amount of ozone created withinthe space 110, the system 100 can provide feed-back to a controller thatcontrols the amount of ultraviolet energy 122 being emitted from the UVsources 104. In certain applications, the sensors 132, 134, arestrategically located within the space 110 between the product or object106 and the inner surface of the packaging material 108 to monitor theUV energy and/or the ozone present within the space 110 in the vicinityof the one or more sensors 132, 134. In certain systems 100, the sensors132, 134 may include RFID communication circuit such that a controllerfor the system 100 outside of the package 108 can communicate with eachof the sensors 132, 134 and receive sensor data from each of the sensors132, 134. The sensor data would indicate the detection of ultravioletenergy present in the space 110 in the vicinity of the particular sensor132, 134, and, or a detection of a level of ozone within the space 110in the vicinity of the particular sensor 132, 134. In this way, acontroller for the system 100 to control UV sources 104 to optimallyemit ultraviolet energy 122 in the contained environment 102 such thatit reaches with sufficient energy into the space 110 and can convert theoxygen to ozone. The teachings of the technology used in the sensors132, 134, and in the RFID communication, has already been discussed inthe parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,123, the teachings ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein, and therefore will not berepeated.

In certain systems 100, a second ultraviolet energy 130 can be emittedfrom the one or more ultraviolet sources 104 at certain times. Thissecond ultraviolet energy energizes the ozone in the atmosphere andaccelerates the rate at which ozone converts back to oxygen. This secondultraviolet energy preferably comprises ultraviolet energy wave-lengthsin the range from about 240 nanometers up to about 280 nanometers. Morepreferably, this second ultraviolet energy comprises a substantiallyincreased amount of ultraviolet energy about the range of wave-lengthsfrom 253 nanometers up to 270 nanometers. Additionally, this secondultraviolet energy more preferably has substantially reduced amount ofultraviolet energy at the range of ultraviolet energy wave-lengths belowabout 200 nanometers. This second ultraviolet energy can be used both asa strong antimicrobial ultraviolet energy treatment of the product orobject 106 as well as to assist in converting ozone to oxygen in theatmosphere within the space 110 and within the contained environment102. By using the second ultraviolet energy within the containedenvironment 102 it reduces the amount of ozone in the atmosphere in thecontained environment 102 and thereby reduces the risk of ozone tohumans that may, at times, need to have access to the containedenvironment 102. Additionally, this second ultraviolet energy reducesthe amount of ozone within the package 108 again making it safer forhumans to open the package 108 to access the product or object 106 inthe package 108.

By treating the packaged product or object 106 within the containedenvironment 102 with the first ultraviolet energy 122, this converts theoxygen 112 in the space 110 to ozone and optionally to hydroxyl radicalsthereby treating the product or object 106 to a sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing treatment. Then, at an alternative timeperiod, the ultraviolet sources 104 can be controlled to remove thefirst ultraviolet energy 122 and to emit the second ultraviolet energyinto the contained environment 102 and into the packaging 108 and thespace 110. In this way, by alternating between the first ultravioletenergy 122 and the second ultraviolet energy 130 the system 100 moreeffectively sanitizes, disinfects, and sterilizes the product or object106 within the package 108 while at the same time it reduces the hazardsto humans from excessively high levels of ozone possibly being presentin the atmosphere within the contained environment and/or within thepackaging 108.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizingsystem 200 is shown. It should be noted that figure ID element numbersthat are the same to those shown in FIG. 1 indicate figure elements thatare similar in this second system 200. The contained environment 102, asshown in FIG. 2, has an atmosphere that is substantially comprised ofnitrogen 202. Small amounts of oxygen 204 may also be found in theatmosphere within the contained environment 102. However, preferablythese amounts of oxygen 204 should be kept as low as possible, and mostpreferably to a trace amount. The large amount of nitrogen gas 202 inthe atmosphere within the contained environment 102 has a beneficialeffect on the ultraviolet energy that is emitted from the one or moreultraviolet sources 104. That is, there is very little to no oxygen 204to energizeably interact with the ultraviolet energy 206, 208. Nitrogen202 does not energizeably interact with the ultraviolet energy emittedfrom the one or more ultraviolet sources 104 at the desiredwave-lengths, as has been discussed above. That is, the firstultraviolet energy 206 comprises ultraviolet energy wave-lengths below200 nanometers, and most preferably with substantially higher amounts ofultraviolet energy at the wave-length range below 200 nanometers andabout 185 nanometers, and with substantially reduced ultraviolet energyat the ultraviolet energy wave-lengths range between about 240nanometers and 280 nanometers. The second ultraviolet energy 208comprises ultraviolet energy wave-length at the range about 240nanometers to 280 nanometers, and most preferably includes substantiallyincreased amount of energy in the ultraviolet energy wave-length rangefrom about 253 nanometers to 270 nanometers, and with substantiallyreduced ultraviolet energy at the ultraviolet energy range wave-lengthbelow 200 nanometers. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a much greater amount ofultraviolet energy, whether the first ultraviolet energy 206 or thesecond ultraviolet energy 208, propagates through the atmosphere withinthe contained environment 102 and reaches the packaging material 108 andpasses through the packaging material 108 and reaches the atmospherewithin the space 110 between the outer surface 120 of the product orobject 106 and the inner surface of the packaging material 108. Forcomparison, see FIG. 1. This enhanced amount of ultraviolet energy thatreaches the packaging material 108 is mainly as a result of the changein the composition of the atmosphere within the contained environment102. That is, the atmosphere within the contained environment 102 nowhas little or no oxygen 204 to interfere with the transmission of theultraviolet energy from the UV sources 104 to the space 110 within thepackage 108. Additionally, the nitrogen gas 202 within the atmosphere inthe contained environment 102 does not significantly interact with theultraviolet energy at the desired frequencies, as discussed above. Inthis way the ultraviolet energy transmits from the ultraviolet sources104 into the space 110 with small attenuation. The high nitrogencomposition of the atmosphere within the contained environment 102therefore provides a medium for the ultraviolet energy to pass throughwithout losing much of its ultraviolet energy level. Of course, thedistance 114 between the UV sources 104 and the packaging material 108will generally have an effect on the amount of ultraviolet energy thatreaches the space 110. However, greater distance may be used between theUV sources 104 and the packaging material 108 while maintainingapproximately the same level of ultraviolet energy that reaches thespace 110.

While nitrogen gas 202 has been discussed above with respect to thecomposition of the atmosphere within the contained environment 102 toenhance the operation of the system 200, other combinations of gascompositions can alternatively be utilized. For example, use of noblegases in the atmosphere within the contained environment 102 to reducethe amount oxygen 204 also anticipated in alternative applications.Argon gas, or helium, can be used in the atmosphere within the containedenvironment 102. Other inert gases may be used in combination within theatmosphere of the contained environment 102 in alternative applications.A main objective, however, will be to significantly reduce, or remove,oxygen 204 from the atmosphere within the contained environment 102.

Different applications may include different combinations of gases ascomposition of the atmosphere within the contained environment 102,while reducing the level of oxygen 204 to a minimal or trace amount. Inthis way, a significantly enhanced amount of ultraviolet energy, 206,208, will be delivered from the one or more ultraviolet sources 104 intothe space 110 within the package 108. This then enhances the treatmentof the product or object 106 by a sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing treatment from the agent comprising ozone in the atmospherewithin the space 110 as well as the ultraviolet energy that reaches thesurface 120 of the product or object 106. Both the ozone and theultraviolet energy are agents that kill and destroy microbes at thesurface 120 of the product or object 106.

Various example applications of the present invention will be discussedin more detail below. These examples will be described using nitrogen asthe main gas in the atmosphere of the contained environment 102.However, it should be understood that alternative gas compositions forthe atmosphere within the contained environment 102 can also be used foralternative applications of the alternative embodiments of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an example embodiment is shown. A sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing system 300 includes a containedenvironment 302. This contained environment, for example, may be a cargohold in a carrier, a cargo transport in a train, a truck, a sea ship, anair ship, or another vehicle. In this contained environment 302 one ormore packaged products or objects 304 are carried by hanging fromsupports 306, such as a hook 306, or other hanging support structure.For example, the product 304 can be an animal carcass or a fish, orother product that can be hanging from a hanging support 306 while beingcarried in a cargo transport 302.

The product or object 304 is, for example, wrapped in a plastic orpolymeric sheet 308 which is the packaging material. The product may befor example an animal carcass. The animal carcass 304 hangs from a hook306 inside of a train car, for example. This train car would be arefrigerated compartment holding one or more of these carcasses wrappedin the plastic sheet and hanging from hooks 306. A head space 310between the inner surface of the packaging material 308, i.e. thewrapping sheet, and the outer surface 305 of the carcass 304 contains anatmosphere that comprises oxygen molecules. For example, air would betrapped within the space 310 when the carcass 304 is wrapped in thesheet 308.

The plastic sheet 308 is contrasted of one or more layers of polymerand/or plastic material that is generally transparent to the UV energyfrom the one or more UV sources 312 about UV energy wave-length rangesof interest, as has been discussed above. Optionally, sensors 309, 311,can be inserted into the space 310 when the carcass 304 is being wrappedin the sheet 308. These sensors 309, 311, sense any one or more of UVenergy at the UV wave-length ranges of interest and sense a presence ofozone within the space 310 in the vicinity of the sensors 309, 311. Thesurfaces 305 of the carcasses 304 can be contaminated with microbes.According to the present example, therefore, one or more UV sources 312are strategically located within the containment environment 302, i.e.,the compartment in a refrigerated car and a train, in this example. Theone or more UV sources 312 are located such that they emit UV energythrough the atmosphere in the container environment 302 and that reachthe packaging material 308 and pass through the packaging material 308into the space 310. In this example, a first UV energy 324 isperiodically transmitted from the UV sources 312 into the space 310within the package 308. At other times, a second UV energy 326 istransmitted from the one or more UV sources 312 into the space 310.During operation of the one or more UV sources 312 the cargo compartmentthat is the container environment 302 is maintained closed and locked toprevent human access avoiding hazardous conditions for humans. Thecompartment 302 is closed and the atmosphere within the compartment 302can be changed from generally an air atmosphere to an atmosphere that,in this example, contains mostly nitrogen 320. Although oxygen 322, insmall or trace amounts, may be also found in the compartment 302. Acontroller (not shown) controls a vacuum generator 319 that flushes thegases from the compartment 302 through an exit port 321 outside of thecompartment 302. For example, the air from the compartment 302 may bevacuumed by the vacuum generator 310 and ported by the port 321 to anambient environment outside of the compartment 302. A nitrogen generator316 is turned on by the controller to generate sufficient nitrogen 320in the compartment 302. A port 318 coupled to the nitrogen generator 316provides air to the nitrogen generator 316 to convert to the nitrogengas 320 in the compartment 302. The controller may communicate with oneor more sensors in the compartment 302 to monitor the atmosphere withinthe compartment reaching a desired concentration of nitrogen 320. Thesesensors and their communication with the controller are not shown. Afterthe atmosphere in the compartment 302 reaches a sufficient concentrationof nitrogen 320 the controller turns off the nitrogen generator 316 andthe vacuum generator 319, thereby maintaining the contained environment302 at a desired concentration of nitrogen in it's atmosphere. The oneor more UV sources 312 then operate to periodically energize the firstultraviolet energy 324 and alternatively at other times energize thesecond ultraviolet energy 326. The first ultraviolet energy 324 convertsoxygen in the space 310 to ozone. Optionally, hydroxyl radicals are alsoformed in the space 310. The second ultraviolet energy 326 energizes theozone in the space 310 and accelerates it's conversion back to oxygen inthe space 310. Additionally, the second ultraviolet energy 326 providesstrong anti-microbial properties which additionally assist in killingand destroying microbes on the contaminated surface 305 of the carcass304. The first ultraviolet energy 324 and the second ultraviolet energy326, optionally, may be alternately pulsed to energize the oxygen in thespace 310 thereby converting it to ozone followed by energizing theozone to accelerate it's conversion back to oxygen in the space 310.This process can be repeated in cycles as desired by particularapplication to more effectively knock down and kill or destroy microbeson the surface 305 of the carcass 304. The sensors 309, 311, can beremotely monitored by the controller, such as using RFID technology thatallows the controller to wirelessly monitor sensor data from the sensors309, 311. Each sensor 309, 311, can be individually interrogated andit's sensor data can be downloaded to the controller. In this way, thecontroller can monitor the conditions within the space 310 inside thecontainer 308 packaging the carcass 304. This sensor data feedbackmechanism allows the controller to monitor and make sure that allcarcasses hanging in the compartment 302 are being sufficiently treatedto sanitize, disinfect, and sterilize the surface 305 of the carcass304, according to requirements of particular applications.

Because the atmosphere in the compartment 302 is mostly nitrogen 320 theUV sources 312 are able to generate a lower amount of UV energy thatsubstantially reaches the space 310 within the packaging material 308.This lower level of ultraviolet energy reaching the space 310 tosufficiently convert oxygen to ozone and then convert ozone back tooxygen provides certain advantages. For example, the ultraviolet sources312 can be lower cost and can generate lower levels of ultravioletenergy thereby reducing the energy consumption of these ultravioletsources 312 for particular applications. Additionally, the distance 314between the ultraviolet sources 312 and the packaging material 308 ofthe individual hanging carcasses 304 can be extended while stillproviding sufficient ultraviolet energy within the space 310 inside thepackaging material 308. This allows better coverage of hanging productwithin the compartment 302 with fewer ultraviolet sources 312. Thisresults in easier more reliable configuration of ultraviolet sources 312within the compartment 302, and lower cost of operation, which isimportant for commercial viability of a manufacturing and/ordistribution facility or operation.

After the treatment of the packaged product 304 hanging by the hooks 306in the compartment 302, human access to the compartment 302 can be madeavailable after exhaust of the high concentration nitrogen atmosphere inthe compartment 302 and flushed with fresh air into the compartment.That is, for example, the vacuum generator 319 is turned on by thecontroller to begin removing the atmosphere from within the compartment302 while a controlled intake valve 330 and intake port 328 allow thecontroller to permit air from outside of the compartment 302 to beported into the compartment 302. The combination of vacuum to remove thehigh nitrogen concentration atmosphere through an exit port 321 andallowing air to be flushed in through an input port 328 by a controlvalve 330 will restore a habitable environment within the compartment302. Once a safe condition in the atmosphere within the compartment 302has been reached and the one or more UV sources 312 are turned off, alock on an access door to the compartment 302 may be released by thecontroller thereby allowing human access to the compartment 302.

Referring to FIG. 4, another example application of embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. A sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizingsystem 400 comprises a contained environment 402. In this example, thecontained environment 402 comprises one or more storage compartmentswithin a storage locker, a refrigeration unit, a carrier and the like.One or more products or objects are individually packaged and stored inbins or compartments in shelves or drawers within the containedenvironment 402. For example, a refrigerator includes a separatelycontained section of the refrigerator with one or more drawers that canhold one or more products for providing sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing treatment to the one or more products inside these drawersor shelves. As shown in FIG. 4, a first product or object 404 is atleast partially contained by packaging material 406 creating a package406 and closing at least a portion of the product or object 404. Thefirst product or object 404 to be placed inside a space, such as a binor compartment, inside of a moveable drawer 422 inside the storageregion or section of the refrigerator. A drawer can move 429 as shown bythe arrows such that the drawer can be pulled out and then product canbe removed or product can be inserted into the drawer and then thedrawer will be moved in the opposite direction to close the drawer andthe contained environment 402 thereby creating a sealed section of therefrigerator which is the contained environment 402 for holding theproduct 404. A second product or object 408 can be packaged by packagingmaterial 410 and located within a region, a space or bin of a seconddrawer 428 in the storage section 402 of the refrigerator. This seconddrawer 428 is moveable 431 as shown by the arrows. While the firstdrawer 422 and the second drawer 428 are shown as moveable structures itshould be understood that these could also be permanent shelf typestructures within a storage section of a refrigerator such that productsor objects can be placed in these shelves and removed from the shelves.A plurality of ultraviolet sources are strategically located within thestorage section 402 of the refrigerator such that the product 404, 408,can receive sanitizing, disinfecting, sterilizing treatment whilelocated in the drawers 422, 428.

Certain UV sources 412, 414, 416, are located in the storage section 402(contained environment) to provide ultraviolet energy to the products404, 408, when stored in the storage section 402. These certain UVsources 412, 414, 416, are supported in the storage section 402independent of any movement of the drawers 422, 428. Other UV sources418, 420, 424, 426, are mounted in the drawers 422, 428, and move withthe moving drawers 422, 428. The material composition of the drawers422, 428, includes properties making the material substantiallytransparent to UV energy at the desired UV energy wave-length ranges asdiscussed above. For example, and not for limitation, the materialcomposition of the drawers 422, 428, may include plastic, polymer, orquartz, or a combination thereof, that permits ultraviolet energy tosubstantially pass through the drawer material and thereby reach thepackaging material 406, 410. The packaging material 406, 410, caninclude material that is also transparent or substantially transparentto ultraviolet energy, such as plastic film, certain plastic or polymermaterial, or even quartz material. The packaging material 406, 410, mayform a rigid package 406, 410, or a semi-rigid or flexible package 406,410. These different types of packages 406, 410, can all be supported invarious applications of embodiments of the present invention. While notshown in FIG. 4, one or more energy sources are electrically coupled tothe one or more ultraviolet sources 412, 414, 416, 418, 420, 424, 426,thereby providing electrical power to operate the UV sources undercontrol from a controller (not shown). Sensors 430, 432, inside thepackages 406,410, respectively, can be monitored by the controller, suchas the wireless communication using RFID communication, to monitor thelevels of ultraviolet energy and/or ozone detected inside the packages406, 410. Once the contained environment 402 is closed and locked,protected from human access, the controller can turn on the nitrogengenerator 434 and the vacuum generator 438 to change the atmospherewithin the contained environment 402 from a general air atmosphere to amostly nitrogen atmosphere. The nitrogen generator 434 utilizes an inputport 436 to draw in air which it then converts into mostly nitrogenwhich is provided to the contained environment 402. The vacuum generator438 draws out the gas atmosphere from the contained environment 402 andports it through a port 440 outside of the contained environment. One ormore sensors within the contained environment 402 (not shown) aremonitored by the controller to determine when the atmosphere within thecontained environment 402 has reached a sufficient concentration ofnitrogen to then proceed to operate the ultraviolet sources. Once thecontroller determines that the atmosphere has reached a sufficientconcentration of nitrogen the controller then turns off the nitrogengenerator 434 and turns off the vacuum generator 438. The containedenvironment 402, with the mostly nitrogen atmosphere, is now ready foroperating the ultraviolet sources 412, 414, 416, 418, 420,424, 426. Afirst ultraviolet energy is periodically emitted from the ultravioletsources through the atmosphere of the contained environment 402 and tothe packaging material 406, 410 of the packaged products 404, 408. Thefirst ultraviolet energy passes through the packaging material 406, 410and enters the space between the product or object 404, 408, and theinner surface of the packaging material 406, 410. Within this spaceinside the packages 406, 410, the atmosphere includes oxygen molecules.The ultraviolet energy sources periodically emit the first ultravioletenergy into the space within the packages 406, 410 such that it convertsthe oxygen molecules through ozone. Optionally, hydroxyl radicals arealso created within the space inside the packages 406, 410. Thecombination of ozone, optional hydroxyl radicals, and ultraviolet energyinside the packages 406, 410, provide a sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing treatment to the products or objects 404, 408. At alternateperiods of time the ultraviolet sources stop emitting the firstultraviolet energy and emit a second ultraviolet energy that when itreaches inside the space within the packages 406, 410, it acceleratesconversion of the ozone back to oxygen and provides an anti-microbialtreatment to the surfaces of the products or objects 404, 408. Thesensors 430, 432, are used by the controller to monitor the sensedconditions of ultraviolet energy levels and/or ozone levels within thespaces inside the packages 406, 410. In this way, the controller canmonitor using the feedback from the sensors 430, 432, to moreeffectively maintain a desired treatment of the product or objects 404,408 inside the packages 406, 410.

For example, the ultraviolet energy sources may periodically pulse thefirst ultraviolet energy into the space within the packages 406, 410,and then at other time periods would pulse the second ultraviolet energyinto the spaces within the packages 406, 410. The times in between thesepulses, in certain embodiments, could be extended with no ultravioletenergy being emitted into the contained environment 402. By exposing theproducts or objects 404, 408, to short time periods of the firstultraviolet energy and the second ultraviolet energy, sufficient toprovide the treatment for sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing theproducts or objects 404, 408, the system 400 maintains optimal treatmentof the packaged product 404, 408. These treatment processes also reducethe amount of exposure to the ultraviolet energy by the products orobjects 404, 408, to as necessary to maintain treatment of theseproducts or objects 404, 408. However, by the products or objects 404,408. Excessive exposure to these ultraviolet energies may affectattributes of certain products or objects 404, 410. So by reducing theexposures to these ultraviolet energies to only be required amounts tomaintain a treatment periodically significantly enhances and maintainsthe desired attributes and qualities of these products or objects, 404,408, that are packaged 406, 410, and stored in the contained environment402. To permit access to the contained environment 402, after treatment,the ultraviolet sources are turned off by the controller, and the vacuumgenerator 438 is turned on to port via the port 440 the atmosphere fromwithin the contained environment 402 to outside of the containedenvironment while a control valve 446 allows air to be ported into thecontained environment via the input port 444. When the sensors withinthe contained environment 402 indicate to the controller that theatmosphere has reached habitable conditions, such as an air atmosphere,within the contained environment 402, the controller may turn off thevacuum generator 438 and release a lock to an access door into thecontained environment 402. For example, the drawers 422, 428, may belocked and sealed in a contained environment 402 until the atmospherewithin the contained environment 402 reaches substantially an airatmosphere. The controller then releases the drawers so that they can bepulled out 429, 431 by a human access.

While a nitrogen generator 434 has been described in the examplesherein, for creating the mostly nitrogen atmosphere inside the containedenvironment 402, it should be understood that other gas controlmechanisms may be used to create the nitrogen atmosphere in thecontained environment 402. For example, a gas pump may replace thenitrogen generator 434 and the nitrogen may be contained in an externalcontainment structure such as a tank or other holding space. Whennitrogen is desired to be flushed into the contained environment 402 thecontroller may control a pump 434 that would draw nitrogen from aseparate container outside of the contained environment 402 and providethe nitrogen gas into the atmosphere within the contained environment402. In certain environments, the nitrogen generator 434 may be replacedwith a gas pump 434 that can operate in two separate directions andthereby can flush nitrogen atmosphere into the contained environment 402from an external containment structure when nitrogen atmosphere isdesired to be flushed into the contained environment 402, oralternatively can draw out the atmosphere from the contained environment402 and into the external containment structure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-compartment package 502 that holds a productor object 510 in a main compartment 504, and including packagingmaterial dividing the compartments 506 from the main compartment 504that comprises a composition that allows the ultraviolet energy from theultraviolet energy sources 508 to pass through the packaging materialand into the main compartment 504. This package 502 may be constructedof a rigid, semi rigid, or a flexible construction. For example, thepackage 502 that contains the product or object 510 can be constructedin the shape of a box, or a cylinder, or other type of container thatholds a product or object 510 in a main compartment 504 inside thepackage 502. A top (or lid) 514 of the package 502 can be removed topermit access to the main compartment 504 to place a product or object510 in the main compartment 504 or to remove the product or object 510from the main compartment 504. UV sources 508 are located withinseparate chambers 506 from the main compartment 504. These separatechambers 506 are filled with nitrogen gas atmosphere, or substantially anitrogen gas filled atmosphere, such that there is little to no oxygenmolecules in these chambers 506. The UV sources 508 emit the firstultraviolet energy to convert oxygen to ozone within the maincompartment 504 and alternatively emit the second ultraviolet energy toconvert the ozone back to oxygen in the main compartment 504, as shownin FIG. 5. Optionally, hydroxyl radicals are also created in the maincompartment 504. In this way, a sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing treatment is provided to the product or object 510 in themain compartment 504. The UV sources 508 are powered by one or moreenergy sources (not shown). Sensors 512, within the main compartment504, may include ultraviolet energy sensing devices and/or ozone sensingdevices. By monitoring the amount of ultraviolet energy that reaches thesensors 512 and/or monitoring the amount of ozone created within thehead space atmosphere in the main compartment 504, feed-back can beprovided to a controller (not shown) that controls the amount ofultraviolet energy being emitted from the UV sources 508. The package502 containing the product or object 510 in the main compartment 504, istransportable and it provides the desired treatment to the product orobject 510 while protecting the product or object 510 from externalcontamination hazards.

With reference to FIG. 6, an advanced combination ozone and UV treatmentsystem 600 is shown, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. A chamber 602 provides an operating environment for thisembodiment. Alternatively, instead of a chamber, a compartment, astorage container or other containing device may be used in alternativeembodiments. The container 602 is accessible by a user to locate anobject or product in its own package 604 in the operating environment ofthe container 602. The product or object 606 is stored in its ownpackaging 608. The packaging can take many different types of forms. Inthis example, the packaging comprises a film wrapping 608 around atleast a portion of a product or object 606 contained therein. When theproduct or object 606 is in the packaging 608 typically there is a headspace 617, 619, around the product 606 in the packaging 608. The headspace will contain air when the product is initially placed in thepackage 608. However, as will be discussed in more detail below, thehead space 617, 619, may contain other modified atmosphere gases or maybe vacuum sealed to almost no gas being contained in the package 608.

With the user placing the product or object in its packaging 604 intothe container or hamber 602, the mouth portion of the package 610 (oranother opening in the package 608) is fitted over a nozzle 614 thatprovides a channel for moving gas into the package 608 and out of thepackage 608 as indicated by the two arrows 624. Toward an end portion ofthe nozzle 614 a holding fixture with a moveable top portion and bottomportion 612 can be moved over the mouth or opening 610 and clamped bythe retaining structure 615. This creates an air tight seal at the endof the opening 610. The nozzle 614 extends into the inner portion of thepackage 608 and the clamp 615 holds securely the opening 610 of thepackage 608 to the nozzle 614. The nozzle is labeled A in this example.An electrical harness 618 provides electrical signals and power tocircuits in the holding structure 612 as will be discussed in moredetail below.

The nozzle labeled A is communicatively coupled with a bi-directionalpumping system 616 as shown. The pump 616 can take many different forms.However, it can draw air out of the inner package 608 to create avacuumed environment in the package 608, can pump or puff air or gasthrough the nozzle 614 and into the inner package 608 as indicated bythe two arrows 624, or can be directed to alternative gas couplingpaths, such as pipe labeled B 613, modified atmosphere source 614coupled to the pump 616, pipe labeled C 652 which is connected through avalve system 653 to a gas coupling path 655 with the pump mechanism 616,and can be coupled to separate chamber 640 via the gas coupling path 655as will be discussed below.

After the product in packaging 604 is placed into the container 602 itis clamped by the clamp structure 615 onto the nozzle labeled 614 andsecurely held there by the holding mechanism 612 as shown. According tothe present example, the user can actuate the holder mechanism 612 andmove it to secure around the package 608 at the nozzle 614. The mouth ofthe package 610 is held sealed to the nozzle 614 such that air or gas inthe general environment inside the container 602 will not enter into thepackage 608. However, the pump 616 can control what gas (e.g. air,ozone, modified atmosphere gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, orother gas from the modified atmosphere source 654). The product inpackage 604 can be placed by the user on a support such as a quartzglass base 605 that allows UV light to substantially pass through thequartz 605. Optionally, a second dividing quartz sheet 607 is locatedabove the product in package 604. These sheets 605, 607, and otherpossible sheets on other sides surrounding the product in package 604 donot impede the transmission of UV energy from various UV sources thatmay be activated in the compartment or chamber 602. These variousarrangements of one or more UV sources relative to the product inpackage 604 and the one or more divider structures such as made ofquartz 605, 607, will be discussed below.

With the product in package 604 being secured at its mouth 610 to thenozzle 614, the pump 616 can turn on movement of gas into or out of thepackage 624 as shown. The source or destination of the moving gas intoor out of the package 608 can vary depending on the application, as willbe discussed below. A first set of UV sources 630, 632, can be activatedin the operating environment in the chamber 602. This first set of UVsources 630, 632, operate at a UV frequency band that tends to generateozone gas from the oxygen in the air in the operating environment of thecompartment 602 as well as the oxygen in the atmosphere inside thepackage 608 as indicated by the head space 617, 619 double headedarrows. To generate ozone gas in the space 617, 619, the system 600 canenergize the first set of UV sources 630, 632 in the environment in thechamber 602 and the UV energy from the first set of UV sources 630, 632will pass through the package 608 and into the head space 617, 619, inthe package 608. Oxygen in the head space 617, 619, will be converted toozone. Oxygen in the environment inside the chamber 602 will also beconverted to ozone. Where the atmosphere in the container 602 startedwith air, it will increase in ozone concentration with the first set ofUV sources 630, 632, energized. The system 600 can monitor with sensors(not shown) in the environment in the container 602 this concentrationof ozone in the ambient atmosphere in the container 602. As the ozoneconcentration increases in the ambient atmosphere surrounding thepackage 608 the pump 616 can be turned on by the system controller (notshown) to draw the concentration of ozone gas from the ambientatmosphere in the chamber 602 through the gas connection 613 and passthe ozone concentrated gas into the head space 617,619 in the package608. A separate one or more ozone sensors can be located in theenvironment in the chamber 602 to monitor the ozone concentration in theambient atmosphere in the container 602. By moving gas from the ambientatmosphere in the container 602 into the head space 617, 619, a desiredozone concentration may be attained more quickly by the system 600 thanfrom only the UV energy from the first set of UV sources 630, 632,entering the head space 617, 619, in the package 608. However, this UVenergy additionally provides a sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizingtreatment to the surfaces of the product 606 in the package 608 that areexposed to the UV energy from the first set of UV sources 630, 632. Thiscombination of ozone gas in the head space 617, 619, being puffed intothe package 608 by the pump 616 through the nozzle 614 as well as beingcreated in the package with the UV energy from the first set of UVsources 630, 632, more quickly creates a desired concentration of ozonein the package that can be also monitored and regulated more effectivelyby one or more sensors in the package 608. For example, a sensor can belocated in the nozzle 614 to monitor ozone gas concentration in thepackage 608. Gas can puffed into the package head space 617,619, by thepump 616 drawing the gas through the gas coupling pipe 613 from theambient atmosphere in the container 602. Alternatively, the pump 616 candraw out the gas from the head space 617, 619 in the package 608 androute this gas back out to the ambient atmosphere in the container 602.This puffing movement of gas using the pump 616 to direct gas into andout of the package 608 will provide a quicker process for creating adesired concentration of ozone atmosphere in the head space 617, 619, inthe package 608. This ozone in the package 608 will contact and treatthe surfaces of the product 606 at a desired concentration which willprovide the sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing treatment to theproduct 606 in the package 608. Additionally, the UV energy from thefirst set of UV sources 630, 632 creates additional ozone in the package608 that helps increase the ozone concentration in the package morequickly. The pump 616 can also draw the gas from the atmosphere in thepackage 608 thereby vacuuming out this gas through the nozzle labeled A614 and directing that gas into the chamber 602 via the gas couplingpipe 613. To aide in the movement of the gas within the package 608,optionally, a support grid 625 to raise and separate the surfaces of theproduct 606 from the direct contact with the inner surface of thepackage material 608 thereby allowing for some path to move gas therebetween.

This alternating puffing and drawing of gas into and out of the package608 is a controllable process with the sensors in the package monitoringthe desired concentration of ozone at all times.

A second set of UV sources 634, 636, provide UV energy into theoperating environment in the container 602. This UV energy is at a UVfrequency range that tends to convert ozone back to oxygen. Itadditionally provides UV treatment that can accelerate the sanitizing,disinfecting, and sterilizing treatment to the surfaces of the product606 in the package 608.

The energy from the second set of UV sources 634, 636, can accelerateconversion of ozone in the ambient atmosphere in the container 602 tooxygen to restore an air atmosphere in the environment in the container602. Additionally, the second set of UV sources 632, 634, transmit UVenergy into the package 608 and treat the surfaces of the product 606exposed to the UV energy. In this way, the combination of the second setof UV sources 634, 636, will convert the ozone gas back to oxygen aswell as provide treatment to the surfaces of the product 606 in thepackage 608. Fans 660, 662, 664, 666, in the chamber 602 can move thegas in the chamber atmosphere to help accelerate the conversion ofeither oxygen to ozone, or alternatively ozone back to oxygen in theambient atmosphere in the chamber 602. This movement of the gas in theambient atmosphere in the chamber 602 helps maintain a more homogeneousconcentration of ozone gas throughout the operating environment in thechamber 602. It also helps to accelerate the conversion process becausethe ozone gas is normally heavier than air and it desirable to exposethe ozone gas to the second set of UV sources 633, 634, 636, to helpaccelerate the conversion process back to oxygen. These gas movingdevices, such as fans 660, 662, 664, 666, help the system 600 to morequickly and effectively either create ozone gas from the oxygen in theair in the chamber 602, or create oxygen from the ozone in the ambientatmosphere in the chamber 602. In both modes, whether creating ozonefrom oxygen or creating oxygen from ozone, the particular set of UVsources being activated 630, 632, 634, 636, will continuously transmitUV energy into the bag 608 and treat the surfaces of the product 606.This accelerates the treatment process of the product 606 in the package608.

As an alternative mode of creating or removing ozone a secondcompartment 640 will be discussed in more detail below.

This separate compartment 640 is gas coupled to the inside of thecontainer 602 by gas channels 648, 652 that are controllable by gasvalves 646, 650 to quickly allow gas to move or be stopped from movingunder control of these valves 650, 646. Gas moving devices, such as fans642, 643 can be activated by the controller to aid in the movement ofgas 644, from the separate compartment 640 to the operating environmentin the main container 602 as shown. A separate set of UV sources 638 canbe energized to cause the moving gas 634 to convert either from ozone tooxygen or alternatively from oxygen to ozone as desired in a particularinstance of an application. Optionally, the pump 616 can be connectedthrough a valve control 653 to either the separate compartment 640 or tothe inside of the chamber 602 via the gas coupling path 652.

When a desired concentration of ozone treatment to the surfaces of theproduct 606 in the package 608 has been attained, and in combination ofa desired amount of treatment of UV energy from the UV sources 630, 632,634, 636, to the surfaces of the product 606 in the package 608 acontrollable predictable process for sanitizing, disinfecting, andsterilizing treatment to a product 606 in a package 608 is provided.

When the product 606 in the package 608 has been treated, optionally,the pump 626 can vacuum all the gas from the head space 617, 619, inpackage 608 and vacuum seal the product in the package. Alternatively,the pump 616 can draw out the gas from the package 608 and then fill thehead space 617, 619 with a modified atmosphere gas from the modifiedatmosphere source 654. For example, in certain applications, a modifiedatmosphere of one or more of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other gasesmay be desired to be remaining in the package 608 with the treatedproduct 606. After completing treating the product with the combinationtreatment of UV energy and ozone at a desired concentration, the mouthof the package 610 can be heat sealed at the end of the holder 620 byactivating heat sources such as wires 621, 622. This can be done veryquickly, such as by a user pressing on the end of the holder 620.

NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES

Although specific embodiments of the subject matter have been disclosed,those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes canbe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosed subject matter. The scope of the disclosureis not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and itis intended that the appended claims cover any and all suchapplications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a sanitizing treatment fora product or object while inside a package, the method comprising:securing, in a gas-tight seal, a gas channel to a mouth of an opening ofa package containing a product or object; providing an atmosphere insidea contained environment containing at least the product or objectpackaged inside a package; transmitting ultraviolet energy through theatmosphere inside the contained environment and toward the packagedproduct or object contained therein; providing at least one of asanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing treatment to the packagedproduct or object with UV treatment of the product or object in thepackage from the ultraviolet energy; and converting oxygen in theatmosphere inside the contained environment to ozone in the atmosphereand transferring gas containing ozone from the atmosphere inside thecontained environment into the package containing the product or object.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transferring gascontaining ozone through the gas channel and into the package containingthe product or object; and providing the at least one of a sanitizing,disinfecting and sterilizing treatment to the packaged product or objectwith the gas containing ozone transferred into the package.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the transferring comprises puffing the gascontaining ozone into the package.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein thetransferring comprises transferring the gas containing ozone into thepackage from the atmosphere inside the contained environment.
 5. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: drawing out gas from inside thepackage containing the packaged product or object.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising: transferring a modified atmosphere gasthrough the gas channel and into the package containing the product orobject.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the modified atmosphere gascomprising one or more of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a noble gas, aninert gas, argon gas, and helium.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: providing at least one of a sanitizing, disinfecting andsterilizing treatment to the packaged product or object with at leastconverting oxygen in the atmosphere between an inside surface of thepackage of the packaged product or object and the surface of the productor object to ozone in the atmosphere therebetween.
 9. A method forproviding a sanitizing treatment for a product or object while inside apackage, the method comprising: providing inside a contained environmenta product or object that is packaged inside a package; providing a gaschannel in an opening of the package containing the product or object;providing an atmosphere inside the contained environment containing atleast the product or object packaged inside the package; transmittingultraviolet energy through the atmosphere inside the containedenvironment containing at least the product or object packaged insidethe package; and providing at least one of a sanitizing, disinfectingand sterilizing treatment to the packaged product or object with atleast converting oxygen in the atmosphere inside the containedenvironment to ozone in the atmosphere and transferring gas containingozone from the atmosphere inside the contained environment into thepackage containing the product or object.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising: providing at least one of a sanitizing, disinfectingand sterilizing treatment to the packaged product or object with atleast UV treatment of the product or object in the package from theultraviolet energy.
 11. The method of claim 9, comprising: securing, ina gas-tight seal, the gas channel to a mouth of an opening of thepackage containing a product or object.
 12. The method of claim 9,comprising: wherein the transferring comprises puffing the gascontaining ozone into the package.
 13. The method of claim 9, whereinthe transferring comprises transferring the gas containing ozone throughthe gas channel and into the package containing the product or object.14. The method of claim 9, wherein the package comprises one or morelayers of polymer and/or plastic material that is substantiallytransparent to the ultraviolet energy at ultraviolet energy wavelengthrange to provide at least one of a sanitizing, disinfecting andsterilizing treatment to the packaged product or object in the package;and the method further comprising: providing at least one of asanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing treatment to the packagedproduct or object with at least UV treatment of the product or object inthe package from the ultraviolet energy.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the package comprises at least one of rigid, semi-rigid, andflexible, packaging material.
 16. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising providing at least one of a sanitizing, disinfecting andsterilizing treatment to the packaged product or object with at leastconverting oxygen in the atmosphere between an inside surface of thepackage of the packaged product or object and the surface of the productor object to ozone in the atmosphere therebetween.
 17. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the transferring comprises transferring, withassistance from a pump, the gas containing ozone through the gas channeland into the package containing the product or object.
 18. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: providing at least one of a sanitizing,disinfecting and sterilizing treatment to the packaged product or objectwith at least transferring gas containing ozone from a separate source,other than from the atmosphere inside the contained environment, throughthe gas channel and into the package containing the product or object.19. The method of claim 9, further comprising: drawing out gas frominside the package containing the packaged product or object.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: transferring a modifiedatmosphere gas through the gas channel and into the package containingthe product or object, wherein the modified atmosphere gas comprisingone or more of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a noble gas, an inert gas,argon gas, and helium.